Admissions to Medical School during the COVID-19 Era without the MCAT

Abstract

As medical schools cope with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new cohort of students will be admitted in the fall. Administrators are again challenged to make unprecedented enrollment decisions without standardized exams. This challenge provides unique opportunities to re-evaluate admission processes that has been employed since 1928 and support holistic admissions. This article highlights key factors that are being considered during current medical school admission cycles, including limited opportunities to take standardized exams, heightened student anxiety, and potential exam alternatives. These factors are framed and discussed within the context of the medical college admission test (MCAT) exam.

Perspectives of Historically Black College and University Advisors to Premedical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…30 In the context of the pandemic, students have endured MCAT study disruptions, delays in MCAT testing, requirements for social distancing, and the use of PPE during testing. 31,32 Furthermore, students had to make the abrupt transitions to virtual interviews for medical school. 33,34 For HBCU students predominantly from communities disproportionality impacted by COVID-19, there were additional responsibilities including taking care of family members, seeking employment to support their families, and challenges with access to technology in their home environment.…”

Impact of COVID‐19 on initial emergency medical services certification in the United States

“…Furthermore, there are no clear standards or guidelines for how to manage the impact of a widespread prolonged shutdown of high‐stake examination infrastructure. Other fields of study were similarly impacted including the legal Bar examination, 14 Graduate Record Examination, 15 and medical school admissions test 16 . At the onset of the shutdown, the extent of the impact on the EMS certification examination was unclear, although the threat posed to this critical workforce pipeline was immediately recognized.…”

“…Other fields of study were similarly impacted including the legal Bar examination, 14 Graduate Record Examination, 15 and medical school admissions test. 16 At the onset of the shutdown, the extent of the impact on the EMS certification examination was unclear, although the threat posed to this critical workforce pipeline was immediately recognized. In this analysis, we present counts of change in examination administration and passing success; however, this granularity may obfuscate the overall concern of stakeholders and educators-workforce stability and confirmation of entry-level competency.…”

The Impact of COVID-19 on Trainees: Lessons Learned and Unanticipated Opportunities

“…The pandemic also shined a light on inequities in standardized test preparation and recruitment practices that have existed for decades. 9,10 An increased focus on making medical training accessible to more people, especially minorities that are currently under represented in medicine, was a positive change seen during this time, as was the introduction of virtual recruitment which gives us one potential tool to increase diversity. Ultimately, health care and society as a whole can benefit from a more level playing field when it comes to admissions to medical school and medical specialties.…”

“…This uncertainty was compounded by the fact that many universities moved to online coursework and a pass/fail grade structure during Spring 2020 semester. 9,10 The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) responded by resuming testing as quickly as possible at the end of May 2020, and made up for the backlog of testing by offering more examination opportunities, a shortened examination, and expedited scoring. They also provided financial assistance to students-including a reduction and waiving of certain fees, and extended subscriptions to test prep products until the end of 2021.…”